Definitions, characteristics and application of the regulation

Cookies are small text files that websites send to and store on the computer or mobile device of user. These files are then resent to the websites the next time they are visited by the user. Cookies are used to remember the user's actions and preferences (such as login data, selected language, font size, other display settings, etc.) so they do not have to be reset when the user returns to the website or browses the website pages. Therefore, cookies are used to perform IT authentications and session monitoring as well as to store information concerning the activities of users who access a website and can also contain a unique identification code that makes it possible to keep track of the user's browsing on the website itself for statistical or advertising purposes. When browsing a website, users can receive cookies on their computer or mobile device from websites or web servers different than the ones being visited (so-called third-party cookies). Some operations cannot be performed without cookies, which in certain cases are technically necessary for website operation.

There are various types of cookies, depending on their characteristics and functions, and these can remain in the user's computer or mobile device for different periods of time: so-called session cookies, which are automatically cancelled when the browser is closed; so-called persistent cookies, which remain in the user's device until the predefined expiration date.

Based on current regulations in Italy, the user is not always required to provide express consent for the use of cookies. In particular, technical cookies do not require this consent, which are those used for the exclusive purpose of transmitting a communication on an electronic communication network, or to the extent strictly necessary for providing a service specifically requested by the user. In other words, these are cookies that are mandatory for the website to be able to operate or that are necessary to perform the activities requested by the user.

Comparable to the above mentioned technical cookies, which therefore do not require express consent for their use, there are also "analytics cookies", which are used directly by the website operator (so-called first-party or proprietary cookies) to collect information, in an aggregate form, about the number of users and how they visit the website - or if provided by third-parties, when instruments are adopted for reducing the identification capability (for example, by masking a significant portion of the IP address) - and “functional cookies”, which make it possible for the user to browse based on a set of selected criteria (language, products selected for purchase, etc.) order to improve the service provided.

"Profiling cookies", which are used to create user related profiles and send advertising messages in line with the preferences demonstrated by the user while browsing online, do instead require prior user consent.

Types of cookies used by websites and (de)selection options

The websites indicated in the introduction use the types of cookies listed below and offer, on an individual basis by accessing the links indicated in the introduction, the possibility of (de)selecting them, except for the third-party cookies for which the user must refer directly to the selection and de-selection methods for the respective cookies provided by the respective operators (see "third-party cookies”):

Technical cookies - browsing or session cookies - strictly necessary for website operation or to permit the user to use the contents and services requested from the websites.

Cookie analytics, which allow the website operator to understand how it is used by the users. These cookies are not used to collect information regarding the identify of users or any personal data. The information is processed in an aggregate and anonymous manner.

Functional cookies, used for activating specific website functions and a series of selected criteria (such as the language, the products selected for purchase) in order to improve the service provided.ATTENTION: disabling technical and/or functional cookies may not make it possible to consult the website or some services or certain functions of the website may not be available or work properly, and users may be forced to change or manually enter some information or preferences each time they visit the website.

Third-party cookies, which are website or web server cookies not sent by the owner, are used for the third-party's own purposes, and also include profiling cookies. Please note that these third-parties, listed below with the relative hyperlinks to their privacy policies, act as autonomous data controllers for the data collected through the cookies they sent; therefore, the user must refer to their personal data and information processing policies as well as their consent forms (selection and de-selection of the respective cookies). Please also note that, with reference to the Google analytics cookies, instruments have been adopted for reducing the identification capability of these cookies through the masking of significant portions of the IP address. The use of these cookies has been formulated so that the supplier (Google) uses them for the exclusive purpose of providing the service, stores them separately and does not "enrich" or "cross reference" them with other information it has available. The links to the respective information regarding the user of cookies (as required by the provision Simplified arrangements to provide information and obtain consent regarding cookies – 8 May 2014):

How to view and changes the cookies using your browser

The user can select which cookies to authorise using the specific procedures provided by the websites within the pages accessed by the previous links and can also authorise, block or delete (fully or partially) cookies using specific browser functions: however, in the case that all or some of the cookies are disabled, it may not be possible to consult the website or some services or certain website functions may not be available or function correctly and/or users may be required to change or manually enter some information or preferences each time they visit the website.
To receive more information about how to set preferences regarding cookie use via your browser, consult the relative instructions: